Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele will back the GOP nominee in NY-23.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - After a dizzying few days of prominent Republican endorsements of the Conservative Party's nominee in New York's 23rd congressional district, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said he will stand behind the embattled GOP candidate in the upcoming special election.

"I support the Republican nominee, as the Republican Party chairman," Steele told MSNBC Wednesday morning. "And that's the way it should go."

Scozzafava has an endorsement from former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich and the NRA - but some prominent conservative leaders, activists and groups who view her as too liberal have thrown their weight behind Hoffman.

Scozzafava, Hoffman and Bill Owens are on the ballot in the special election to fill the congressional seat vacated by former GOP Rep. John Hughes, now President Obama's Secretary of the Army. Election Day is November 3.

soundoff(43 Responses)

CM

Anthing that starts out with SP will eventually end in the kiss of death for the party of no; it may work this time but don't depend upon this as a permanent solution. This party gets more in tune with being the party of NO. You gripe about Obama but I have the feeling that things could get worse with this party unless they change. If you do not believe just the way I believe I am going to split the party. Now that sounds a little like socialism to me.

October 28, 2009 05:56 pm at 5:56 pm |

Aunt Bea and Opie

Shame on him,Rush the pig will not be happy.

October 28, 2009 05:56 pm at 5:56 pm |

Mike in MN

When Hoffman wins the laugh will be on both the liberal, progressive DNC socialists and the RNC. By 2010 conservative candidates will look really good to voters wether they call themselves Republicans or the Conservative party or Independents. Voters will be running from liberal, progressive, socialist, out of control tax and spend, deficit loving Democrats.

October 28, 2009 05:58 pm at 5:58 pm |

LacrosseMom

Amusing to watch the GOP self-destruct! They are a divided party. And if that weren't enough today there is most hate being spewed by the Haters on the far-right!

GOP the politics of hate, lies, fear and division!

October 28, 2009 07:24 pm at 7:24 pm |

They call me "tater salad"

"Steele standing behind Scozzafava".............Yeah! Today he is, but knowing Micheal Steele he'll more than likely change his mind before the end of the week! Just watch!!

October 28, 2009 07:27 pm at 7:27 pm |

m smith

You mean Steele is thinking on his own Amazing!
Betcha this won't last

October 28, 2009 07:35 pm at 7:35 pm |

Jim in San Mateo

The far right just don't get it. The further they go, the more voters they leave behind. The liberals also need to get their act together, but as long as the conservatives think they can win by turning this country into a land of the haves and the have nots, the centrists will carry the day, just as they always have.

October 28, 2009 07:39 pm at 7:39 pm |

Fitz in Texas

Best of luck to you Doug Hoffman!

October 28, 2009 07:40 pm at 7:40 pm |

Hammerer

And this is the same old group that has no clue as to the needs and wants of the people of America. This why the repubs will never be a major force again.

October 28, 2009 07:44 pm at 7:44 pm |

JAWBREAKER

This lady is no better than a tax and spend liberal. We conservatives are taking our ideas and principles with us and if the republican party dont want to be true conservatives then we will vote for those who will. Dont mistake us for brainless follow whatever my party says LIBERALS! Take notes dems this how it is supposed to be. We dont work for the party or the country. The party and the country work for us.

October 28, 2009 07:44 pm at 7:44 pm |

Jessica Wallace

Perusing-through...George Wallace was a Democrat.

October 28, 2009 08:14 pm at 8:14 pm |

Pragmatic

Can any conservative point to any real conservative accomplishments? Anything that made life better for average Americans? I can recite their "core values" – the constant whine about no taxes and cutting spending (as the Golden Gate Bridge closes & Pawlenty's bridges crumble) but what have conservatives actually proven their ideas work?

By the way – its not "smaller government" – its more efficient government that people want.

October 28, 2009 08:22 pm at 8:22 pm |

Lauren

Did he get Rush Limbaugh' s permission before he did this?

October 28, 2009 08:33 pm at 8:33 pm |

ron

why is this news

October 28, 2009 08:38 pm at 8:38 pm |

snowflake

Really??? Well, I would say only the power of NO would care!! The rest of us are CARE - LESS!!!

October 28, 2009 08:47 pm at 8:47 pm |

Denna

You know, I am really sick of all this whining about liberals. Are you people really that brain dead that you don't understand that we are STILL trying to climb out of the hole that 8 years of conservative rule put us into. Personally, I don't think that ANY president for the next 8-12 years is going to be able to fix this. Cut President Obama some slack people.

October 28, 2009 08:49 pm at 8:49 pm |

ReaganTMan

It's the first time I've ever doubted Michael Steele.

The head of the GOP should be making sure the party is selecting the right candidates from the get to, not supporting the wrong ones after the fact.

October 28, 2009 09:14 pm at 9:14 pm |

RH1

Man! if the far right ever takes over this country again, iam positive this will be the end of the USA as we know it.